Owen Public Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities.
The competitive award comes with a $10,000 grant that will help the library install doors that open automatically at the press of a button.
Library director, Loralee Petersen stated “This grant will allow our library to get to know our residents with mobility issues better. It will help us improve our services to ensure this population feels welcome and comfortable in our space.”
As part of the grant, Petersen will take an online course on how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. A conversation with residents about the library building’s accessibility and needs for improvement will be held.
“Much has changed in society since the library was built and it’s time to look at new options that will encourage all community members to use the library and to help us make everyone feel welcome,” Petersen added.
If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, please contact Loralee Petersen at 715-229-2939 or director@owen.lib.wi.us, or visit owenpubliclibrary.org for more information.
Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.
The Owen Public Library is open from 12-6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Find out more about the library at owenpubliclibrary.org.
“Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities is an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL).”
